If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

Hello all,

This may be a stupid question, but is there even the slightest chance that the Kifaru Ultralight Packs may ever return to the kifaru lineup? Or possibly a small limited run of KU5200 packs, KU Koalas, or KU accessory pockets/pods. I am a younger guy that got into Kifaru a few years ago and have always been interested in the Ultralight packs the Patrick had designed, but a little to late it seems. From my readings it seemed that Patrick put a lot of time into the KU designs, but they didn't last the test of time. I love the quality of Kifaru made gear and have 7 packs ranging from the smallest day packs like the Koala, tailgunners and scout up to the large duplex frame with numerous packs for hunting and backpacking. However, the quality of the KU E&E and some of the long pockets which I've gotten off of the trading post are amazing and very functional in my opinion. If the older KU packs had flaws, would there ever be possibilities of upgraded KU packs, possibly stuff that will works with current kifaru frames? I guess these questions are mainly directed to the Kifaru staff, but would like the thought process of other forum members. I might just be one of a few people wondering this.

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

Hello Norinco, thanks for asking about the now-discontinued KU Ultralights. They were the lightest heavy load packs ever built. To achieve that distinction I designed them using our own Rhino Skin tipi fabric. Double layer. If the outer layer abraded, or experienced a nick, the inner layer would prevent penetration all the way through the bag. And this worked! In our sales specifications we made it clear to customers that abrasion and nicks could be expected but would not compromise the integrity, the functionality, of the KU packs and accessories. That such dings were only cosmetic. In essence, we were asking folks for a "compact" of accepting cosmetic blemishes over time in order to get the lightest gear of it's class ever invented.
But it turned out that a minority of users persisted in returning their KU units for "repair" of these cosmetic dings. These above normal "repair" requests--compared to the rest of the Kifaru line-- plus the fact that building the KU gear from exceedingly difficult to work with Rhino Skin fabric resulted in our pulling the plug on the project.
We continue to keep an eye out for material that could be used for reprising a KU lineup, but so far nothing offers enough weight savings, certainly not in the league of the original double layer Rhino Skin, to warrant adoption.

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

Thank you for the quick response Patrick, I'm glad that you haven't completely given up on the KU line of products! I'll keep my hopes up for the future. Until then I'll watch the trading post in the hopes of scoring some of your KU classics. Best of luck on your future endeavors!

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

How I would really love to have a KU Camp Bag to ride between the wings of my Nomad. My Camp Bags are among my favorite, most used items for overnight trips. A KU Camp Bag would be protected on the bottom by the 1000d cordura of a grab-it so would probably last many years. This application makes a lot of sense to me since I could replace the bag for far less than if I wore out a whole KU pack. Heck, when I want to run light I ditch the Nomad and run a Camp Bag, Guide lid, and Grab-it on my Bikini and doing so with a KU Camp Bag would get my pack weight down around 3 1/2 lbs with 30% more capacity than I get with a 55 liter OR dry bag.

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

How I would really love to have a KU Camp Bag to ride between the wings of my Nomad. My Camp Bags are among my favorite, most used items for overnight trips. A KU Camp Bag would be protected on the bottom by the 1000d cordura of a grab-it so would probably last many years. This application makes a lot of sense to me since I could replace the bag for far less than if I wore out a whole KU pack. Heck, when I want to run light I ditch the Nomad and run a Camp Bag, Guide lid, and Grab-it on my Bikini and doing so with a KU Camp Bag would get my pack weight down around 3 1/2 lbs with 30% more capacity than I get with a 55 liter OR dry bag.

I would buy a couple for sure!

A KU camp bag would be on the shortlist of products I would exchange an internal organ or firstborn child for

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

Patrick,

I sent you an email (desperate times call for desperate measures). I am desperately (notice a theme) seeking a KU5200 or KU3700. Is there ANY chance you would do a one off build? I could/would pay a premium, and would waive all cosmetic repair rights (I understand the limitations of UL fabrics). There are several UL packs available (Zpacks, HMG, ULA) that use Dyneema or Cuben Fiber, but (IMHO) the suspensions do not compare and I have used Kifaru packs enough to know that nothing fits like a Kifaru.

Re: Possibility of Future KU packs and accessories?

I'd throw out taking a hard look at the Muskeg with the new ultralight frame. Sewing packs out of rhino skin was always time consuming, and for the loads that the attachment of the suspension put on it, they're prone to failure.

The biggest Muskeg bag with the Duplex Light is just north of 5 lbs, and that's for a 7,000 cubic inch pack. That XPAC fabric is WAY tougher than that 2-layer rhino skin, and has the 500D on the bottom and hypalon where the frame attaches...

I'm not an ultralight guy, when I try to shave weight, it's by leaving frivolous junk in the truck. Were I to do a week plus trip and wanted to have room for hauling meat out, this Muskeg seems to be a WAY better design for it, built on the evolution Kifaru has had in understanding freakishly large load carriage AND not falling apart from abuse from back country brush busting...

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
"Count your blessings and you will never finish" - Fr. Jim Babb, SJ